We are coming up on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Although I have never even visited NYC nor know anyone personally who was directly involved in or effected by the attacks, I was still moved.
I distinctly remember that I was at work when I heard the news. I was working as the Administrative Assistant at our church in PA. Someone from the congregation called in and told me what had happened. I immediately got goose bumps all over. A couple more people called in to let us know what was happening. I went into one of the pastor’s offices, who wasn’t there at the time, and got their radio to put in my office so I could hear any news. I then walked down the hall to the other secretary on staff and told her. I got goose bumps again as I relayed the information I knew. I spent the day praying as I was carrying out my tasks at the church. They didn’t know exactly what had happened or that it was definitely a terrorist attack, but I had this feeling that it was evil. I was sort-of numb and in shock, especially after news of the plane in PA came in. It was like I was wondering who should be diving for cover – what else was going to happen? All I could do was pray.
There are many amazing stories that came out of this tragedy. One such story I just recently read, about Genelle Guzman-McMillan. She claims that a rescuer named Paul came and held her hand until help could reach her…but she was told there was no one named Paul on the rescue teams and although her story has been shared in numerous places, such as on Oprah, no one has stepped forward to take credit for helping her. There are many foundations and organizations that have also come about, doing great work and helping many more people. Of course, how could we ever forget the “Let’s Roll” guy and his widow, Todd & Lisa Beamer.
I just read this evening that “NYC Mayor Bloomberg declines to invite clergy –and thus rejects prayer –to the 10th anniversary memorial of 9/11”. This makes me very sad. I was planning to write this remembrance post anyway and ask anyone reading it to at least pause and say a quick prayer for the survivors, their families, rescue workers, and the troops who are serving our country but I feel like it’s even more important to do that now. The most important thing is to be covered in prayer – we need to make sure that happens whether it is done ceremoniously in a memorial service or not.
In searching for “Prayer for 9-11”, I found a prayer written by a Navy Chaplain on the first anniversary ~ please click here to see it. Otherwise, I found a web site called Circle of Prayers where people can join and share prayers for 9/11 and all of the other world happenings, natural disasters, war, etc.
Will you at least take one minute and pause to say a prayer?
Psalm 144 seems fitting…a psalm of David:
“Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight –
My Steadfast Love and my Fortress, my High Tower and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in Whom I trust and take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.
Lord, what is man that You take notice of him? Or [the] son of man that You take account of him?
Man is like vanity and a breath; his days are as a shadow that passes away.
Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Cast forth lightning and scatter [my enemies]; send out Your arrows and embarrass and frustrate them.
Stretch forth Your hand from above; rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, from the hands of hostile aliens (tribes around us)
Whose mouths speak deceit and whose right hands are right hands [raised in taking] fraudulent oaths.
I will sing a new song to You, O God; upon a harp, an instrument of ten strings, will I offer praises to You.
You are He Who gives salvation to kings, Who rescues David His servant from the hurtful sword [of evil].
Rescue me and deliver me out of the power of [hostile] alien [tribes] whose mouths speak deceit and whose right hands are right hands [raised in taking] fraudulent oaths.
When our sons shall be as plants grown large in their youth and our daughters as sculptured corner pillars hewn like those of a palace;
When our garners are full, affording all manner of store, and our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our pastures;
When our oxen are well loaded; when there is no invasion [of hostile armies] and no going forth [against besiegers – when there is no murder or manslaughter] and no outcry in our streets;
Happy and blessed are the people who are in such a case; yes, happy (blessed, fortunate, prosperous, to be envied) are the people whose God is the Lord!”
Click here to see a photo album of the Memorial pools at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Our refuge and comfort is in our Heavenly Father.
In Awe & Wonder 